Families play an important role in a society’s development when ideologies are not imposed upon them, Pope Francis said.

Pope Francis asked his safeguarding commission to provide an annual audit of what the church is doing to protect minors and what needs to change, as well as to urge bishops’ conferences to set up special “centers” where victims can be heard and find accompaniment toward “healing and justice.”

Nearly 700 superiors general — 520 attending in person — will participate in the UISG plenary assembly May 2-6 in Rome under the theme, “Embracing Vulnerability on the Synodal Journey.”

Madeleine Albright was eulogized April 27 at a funeral service at Washington’s National Cathedral by notable friends and family gathered to remember the happy but also turbulent times in the life of the former U.S. Secretary of State, the first woman to hold that position.

Pope Francis praised members of the U.S.-based Papal Foundation for helping the Catholic Church build “a culture of solidarity and peace,” including by providing assistance to victims of the war in Ukraine.

Pope Francis and his international Council of Cardinals met in-person at the Vatican April 25, discussing the war in Ukraine, the Vatican press office said.

A monumental work of art depicting migrants and refugees seeking a home has found its own permanent home at a new plaza at The Catholic University of America.

Longtime pro-life advocate Deirdre McQuade, who for more than a decade shared perspectives of U.S. bishops’ and the Catholic Church’s teaching on the sanctity of life, died April 21 after a bout with metastatic breast cancer. She was 53.

If young people recognize all that they have received with gratitude and older people take the initiative of relaunching hope in young people for their future, then nothing can stop the flourishing of God’s blessings among people, Pope Francis said.

With “people coming to us from all over Ukraine,” a master egg painter wanted “to tell them about the symbol of Ukraine and the symbol of Easter — the Easter egg.”